BARCELONA – Donatas Motiejunas didn't care that he scored only two points and missed four of five shots. Nor was he concerned that his Lithuanian team's expected next challenge in the FIBA World Cup semifinal, Team USA, was the proverbial Goliath to their David even in its emaciated form.
When their 73-61 win over Turkey was complete on Tuesday, he jumped and yelled and smiled on the Palau Sant Jordi floor along with the rest of his elated countrymen. This, daunting next opponent be darned, was a moment to be savored.
"I mean, we have three million people," the Houston Rockets forward told USA TODAY Sports. "Our country is small, and we are really good at something and everyone knows that. You see the fans, how everyone was crazy. It's just something, to be at the top all the time for our national team and all of Lithuania."
The Lithuanians have been bordering on elite international status in recent years, having finished second at Eurobasket in 2013, eighth in the 2012 Olympics, fifth in the 2011 Eurobasket and third in the 2010 FIBA tournament. This latest achievement is even more impressive because of who hasn't taken part, as they've been without forward/NBA veteran Linas Kleiza (knee surgery) and longtime national team point guard Mantas Kalnietis (collarbone injury). Against Turkey, guard Renaldas Seibutis had a team-high 19 points and Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (12 points, 13 rebounds) won the big man battle against Turkey/New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (11 points, 10 rebounds).
As is the case with the Americans, this return trip to Barcelona for the Lithuanians could never replicate the magic that took place in those 1992 Olympics. That bronze-medal-winning Lithuanian group was later dubbed "The Other Dream Team," with Sarunas Marciulionis and Arvydas Sabonis leading the way in a post-USSR show of independence that included the memorable backing of The Grateful Dead.
Twenty two years later, the Lithuanians remain formidable and proud.
As for the question of whether they can pull off the USA upset, it's highly unlikely. While the Americans haven't played Lithuania in World Cup or the exhibitions leading up to it, it's worth noting that the Lithuanians (who are 6-1 in all) only managed to down Slovenia by three points in their fifth FIBA World Cup game (67-64). The undefeated Americans, by comparison, raced to the finish line in the second half on Tuesday night and beat Slovenia by 43 points (119-76). Still, no white flags will be waved.
"I don't think it's impossible," Motiejunas said. "I just think we have to step it up as a team, and I think we have to play a tough game against them. That's one of the most important things, to match up their physicality. We watched the games that we were able to watch (of Team USA's). They're a tough team to beat. They have a great team, great talent, but we're ready to fight."
